Campus-Based Aid Programs

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Perkins Loan programs are called campus-based programs because they are administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Not all schools participate in these programs.

How much aid you receive from each of these programs depends on your financial need, on the amount of other aid you receive, and on the availability of funds at your college or career school. Unlike the Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides funds to every eligible student, the campus-based programs provide a certain amount of funds for each participating school to administer each year. When the money for a program is gone, no more awards can be made from that program for that year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are gift aid for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest EFCs will be the first to get FSEOGs, which do not have to be paid back. You can get between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, and the funding at the school you're attending. These grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree.

If you're eligible, your school will credit your account, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. Your school must pay you at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter).

Federal Work-Study (FWS) provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient's course of study. Federal Work-Study can help you get valuable experience in your chosen field before you leave school.

You will be paid by the hour. No FWS student may be paid by commission or fee. Your school must pay you directly at least once a month. Wages for the program must equal at least the current federal minimum wage but may be higher, depending on the type of work you do and the skills required. Your total Federal Work-Study award depends on when you apply, your financial need, and the funding level at your school. The amount you earn can't exceed your total FWS award. When assigning work hours, your employer or financial aid administrator will consider your award amount, your class schedule, and your academic progress.

If you work on campus, you will usually work for your school. If you work off campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest. Your school may have agreements with private for-profit employers for Federal Work-Study jobs. This type of job must be relevant to your course of study. If you attend a career school, there may be further restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned.